Android Auto is getting extra than simply Google’s Gemini assistant after the Google I/O developer conference. The corporate has additionally introduced or in any other case proven off a slew of adjustments coming to the infotainment working system, together with an up to date Spotify app, a lightweight mode, and the introduction of internet browsers and video apps.
Let’s begin with Spotify. Google revealed in a video final week that the Spotify app for Android Auto is getting an overhaul by means of new media app templates the corporate is making obtainable to builders. One function the music service is including to Android Auto is Spotify Jam, a function that lets customers share management of an audio supply from their particular person units.
In vehicles with Android Auto, which means anybody with Spotify will soar in by tapping a brand new “Jam” icon on the automotive’s touchscreen, then scanning a QR code to begin including upcoming songs to the playlist. Being a Spotify function, it’s rather more inclusive than Apple Music’s related SharePlay function, which requires everybody to have an Apple machine to take part. Spotify Jam shall be obtainable “within the coming months,” the corporate says.
Additionally within the video, Google says it’s including assist for Fast Share to vehicles with Google built-in quickly, letting customers do issues like add stops to in-progress Google Maps routes. The corporate additionally says it’s going so as to add passkey assist for its infotainment OS.
By means of a Google Figma package Google made for prototyping Android Auto app UI, we even have a brand new take a look at a lightweight mode theme the corporate is engaged on for Android Auto. Google didn’t truly say it’s rolling out a lightweight mode in its blog post about all of the adjustments coming to Android Auto, however as 9to5Google notes, the UI possibility has been in the works for years.
One factor that Google did point out — and briefly at that — is that browser and video apps are coming to Android Auto. The corporate says that app class, together with video apps, shall be obtainable “quickly” for Android Auto and that gaming apps can be found already obtainable in beta. Naturally, Google says these options will solely work whereas a automotive is in park. The browsers function is already obtainable in beta for vehicles with Google built-in, whereas video apps are already available in that model of its infotainment system. The corporate additionally introduced that assist for climate apps is formally out of beta.